Page:Booth Tarkington - Alice Adams.djvu/78

 "Walter!" she exclaimed. "Of course you're going. I got your clothes all out this afternoon, and brushed them for you. They'll look very nice, and"

"They won't look nice on me," he interrupted. "Got date down-town, I tell you."

"But of course you'll"

"See here!" Walter said, decisively. "Don't get any wrong ideas in your head. I'm just as liable to go up to that ole dance at the Palmers' as I am to eat a couple of barrels of broken glass."

"But, Walter"

Walter was beginning to be seriously annoyed. "Don't 'Walter' me! I'm no s'ciety snake. I wouldn't jazz with that Palmer crowd if they coaxed me with diamonds."

"Walter"

"Didn't I tell you it's no use to 'Walter' me?" he demanded.

"My dear child"

"Oh, Glory!"

At this Mrs. Adams abandoned her air of amusement, looked hurt, and glanced at the demure Miss Perry across the table. "I'm afraid Miss Perry won't think you have very good manners, Walter."

"You're right she won't," he agreed, grimly.